Below you will find the Berlitz Corporation's responses to questions from the Teaching in Japan Page's editors. We've included the introductory paragraph below.
Dear Mr. Furr,
Someone dropped your questionnaire on my desk and I would like to respond to the 17 questions in the order they appeared. My name is Bernard Gewirtz and I am a manager in the Human Resources Department of Berlitz Japan.
Teaching in Japan Page Questionnaire
1. Please describe the type of person that your company is looking for when recruiting new EFL teachers.
We are looking for native speakers of English and other major languages who have a college degree. Teaching experience is not necessary, but training in the Berlitz Method is.
2. What is the current salary range for new teachers in your company? Be specific.
The current salary starts at 250,000 yen a month. Pay raises are based on an annual performance review and currently average 1 to 3% a year.
3. Is there a "Probationary Period" for new employees? If so, what exactly does this mean in terms of salary for new teachers?
There is a 3-month probationary period but has no meaning in terms of a salary increase upon completion.
4. How many hours a week is a new teacher expected to be present in her school?
Contract teachers are required to be present 26.6 hours.
5. How many teaching "contact" hours does a teacher in your school typically have in one week?
Contract teachers are required to teach 22 to 23 hours per week. Any teaching beyond that is paid at a per lesson rate.
6. Teachers in our organization PRIMARILY use:
a.only materials selected by our company
b. materials chosen by the individual teacher.
Teachers are required to use only Berlitz teaching materials.
7. How many days of PAID VACATION does a new teacher get her first year?
Teachers get 10 days vacation after 6 months of employment which is increased each year thereafter until a maximum of 20 days.
8. Of these vacation days, how many can the TEACHER take at her discretion?
Teachers are free to take all vacation days at their discretion but in consultation with their supervisor.
9. Do teachers in your organization work Japanese National Holidays?
Teachers are not required to work on Japanese National Holidays
10. Do your teachers receive private or shared subsidized accommodation?
No subsidized accommodation is offered but the company will serve as guarantor if landlord requires one.
11. What is the average rental charge to a new teacher?
Not applicable.
12. What type of Health Insurance do you provide to a new teacher?
Overseas Travel & Accident Insurance
13. What is the cost of this insurance?
No cost to the teachers
14. Do you offer an end-of-contract bonus? If so, how much is the bonus?
At present we do not offer any type of year-end or completion bonus.
15. Do you provide Japanese language lessons for new teachers? If so, please describe this benefit, and the cost, if any, to the teacher.
We help arrange Japanese and other language lessons but teachers pay the teacher directly at teacher's particular rate.
16. Please describe any additional benefits provided to new teachers by your organization.
Teachers receive commutation allowance, maximum 25,000 yen per month. After one year of employment, we provide various kinds of congratulatory and condolence leave. After 3 years of employment teachers who work full time (138 hours per month) may join company's retirement plan. The Company offers a career path to teachers who plan to stay in Japan or work for Berlitz
worldwide.
17. What is your advice to someone who wants to teach English in Japan?
Join Berlitz - a professional, worldwide organization with nearly 125 years of experience in language instruction.
A service of The Teaching in Japan Page
